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Stanford Men's Soccer Inks Top Recruiting Class

Stanford, Calif.- Stanford University men's soccer head coach Bret Simon is proud to announce the signing of an outstanding eight member recruiting class for the fall of 2005. The incoming group features two goalkeepers and six field players that are capable of competing for playing time in the Cardinal lineup immediately.

'It is a deep, talented, and versatile class that will certainly help our team compete for a national championship,' said Simon.

Michael Alexander and Tim Jones both come to The Farm from the Southeast and will look to bolster the Stanford backline. The two standouts were teammates on the South Region Olympic Development Program team, and are each capable of creating and supporting the attack.

The trio of TJ Novak, Alex Kozachenko, and Adrian Munabi provide an array of attacking options and capabilities for coach Simon. Munabi is also a track and field star that will provide a level of pace that few squads can match. Kozachenko is quick, skillful on the ball and enjoys developing the game from the attacking midfield position, while Novak was named the Missouri state Player of the Year and is expected to see action as a forward or wide midfielder.

Also joining the Cardinal for the 2005 season is Ryan Imamura, a transfer from Cornell University. Imamura was one of the top players in his home state of Oregon as a high school senior, and assumed a starting position for Cornell as a freshman. He is expected to compete for a spot in the defense or in a defensive midfield role for the Cardinal.

The incoming group also includes a pair of goalkeepers in Josh Nesbit and Brent Stewart, who will combine with current United States U-20 'keeper Andrew Kartunen to form a talent-rich goalkeeping corps.

'Josh Nesbit and Brent Stewart are both capable of being top Division I goalkeepers,' stated Simon. ' They are athletic, dedicated and fit the mold of what we look for in a Stanford student-athlete.'

The current squad begins preparation for the 2005 campaign this week, as the Cardinal hosts San Francisco on Wednesday in the first of five spring matches to be played in April and May.